Clamped liner-boss connection

Abstract

A pressure vessel for storing a fluid, the pressure vessel including an annular inner boss having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming a passage adapted to receive a utility device therein, wherein the inner boss includes a liner channel formed intermediate the inner surface and the outer surface, a vessel liner having a portion thereof disposed in the liner channel of the inner boss, and an outer boss secured to the outer surface of the inner boss.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing a pressure vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a vessel liner with an aperture formed therein; 
 providing an inner boss having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a liner channel formed integrally therein, the liner channel adapted to receive a portion of the vessel liner therein, wherein the liner channel has a substantially serpentine shape including alternating curved protrusions and curved recesses for bending and securing the vessel liner within the inner boss; 
 disposing a portion of the vessel liner in the liner channel of the inner boss; 
 clamping the portion of the vessel liner within the liner channel of the inner boss; and 
 providing an outer boss secured to the inner boss; 
 wherein:
 the inner surface of the inner boss forms a passage having a coupling element adapted to receive and engage a utility device therein; or 
 the outer boss includes an inner boss channel for receiving the inner boss, 
 wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of the inner boss are disposed adjacent a portion of the inner boss channel. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising attaching one of a utility device and a support ring to the coupling element on the inner surface of the inner boss. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer boss abuts the vessel liner. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer boss has a neck portion and a shoulder portion, the shoulder portion having a tapered shape with a decreasing thickness toward a periphery thereof. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element disposed between the inner boss and the outer boss to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element disposed between the inner boss and the vessel liner to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first coupling element formed on the inner boss and a second coupling element formed on the outer boss, wherein the first coupling element engages the second coupling element to secure the inner boss with the outer boss. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner channel of the inner boss includes at least one protrusion for engaging and securing the vessel liner to the inner boss. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing material disposed in the liner channel of the inner boss to provide a fluid-tight seal between the vessel liner and the inner boss. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming a vessel liner with an aperture formed therein comprises guiding a parison around a blow pin and expanding the parison into a hollow vessel liner. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming a vessel liner with an aperture formed therein comprises one of injection molding and stretch molding the vessel liner. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising injecting a sealing material between the vessel liner and the inner boss. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising applying a layer to the vessel liner, wherein the layer comprises one of a composite and a fiber. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the applying comprises one of a winding process, a rotational molding process, and a curing process. 
     
     
       15. A method for producing a pressure vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a vessel liner with an aperture formed therein; 
 providing an inner boss having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a liner channel formed integrally therein, the liner channel adapted to receive a portion of the vessel liner therein; 
 heating the vessel liner to provide a pliable vessel liner 
 clamping the portion of the vessel liner within the liner channel of the inner boss; and 
 providing an outer boss secured to the inner boss; 
 wherein:
 the inner surface of the inner boss forms a passage having a coupling element adapted to receive and engage a utility device therein; or 
 the outer boss includes an inner boss channel for receiving the inner boss, 
 wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of the inner boss are disposed adjacent a portion of the inner boss channel. 
 
 
     
     
       16. A method for producing a pressure vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a vessel liner with an aperture formed therein; 
 providing an inner boss having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a liner channel formed integrally therein, wherein the liner channel divides the inner boss into an inner flange portion and an outer flange portion and is adapted to receive a portion of the vessel liner therein 
 disposing a portion of the vessel liner in the liner channel of the inner boss; 
 clamping the portion of the vessel liner within the liner channel of the inner boss by deforming the inner boss by bending the inner flange portion of the inner boss toward the outer flange portion of the inner boss to secure the portion of the vessel liner therebetween, securing the portion of the vessel liner in the liner channel; and 
 providing an outer boss secured to the inner boss; 
 wherein:
 the inner surface of the inner boss forms a passage having a coupling element adapted to receive and engage a utility device therein; or 
 the outer boss includes an inner boss channel for receiving the inner boss, 
 wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of the inner boss are disposed adjacent a portion of the inner boss channel. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the liner channel of the inner boss includes at least one protrusion for engaging and securing the portion of the vessel liner within the liner channel after the inner flange portion of the inner boss is bent toward the outer flange portion of the inner boss. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein prior to the clamping step the liner channel is substantially V-shaped with a widened mouth for receiving the portion of the vessel liner, and after the clamping step the inner boss is deformed to cause the liner channel to remain substantially U-shaped with a smaller width of the mouth of the liner channel to retain the portion of the vessel liner therein.